10th Judicial District Nominating Commission sends three nominees for judge to governor

TOPEKA— The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission has sent the names of three nominees for district judge to Gov. Laura Kelly, who has 60 days to decide who will fill the vacancy created by District Judge Sara Welch’s July 1 retirement.

The 10th Judicial District is composed of Johnson County.

The three nominees are:

• Krishnan Christopher Jayaram, Overland Park, private practice lawyer;

• Vanessa M. Riebli, Olathe, Johnson County district attorney’s office section chief; and

• Jacquelyn E. Rokusek, Shawnee, private practice lawyer.

Nominees for district judge must be:

• at least 30 years old;

• a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school; and

• a resident of Johnson County at the time of taking office and while holding office.

After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.

The 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Wilson as the nonvoting chair; Thomas Bath, John Parisi, and Samuel Turner Sr., Leawood; Joe Beveridge, Stephene Moore, and Annabeth Surbaugh, Lenexa; Laura McConwell, Mission; Doug Brownlee, James Griffith, and Stephen Tatum, Olathe; Rick Guinn, Kevin Moriarty, and Greg Musil, Overland Park; and Josie Herrera, Shawnee.

Find out more about the nominating commission at www.jocojnc.org.